Happy New Year! May 2016 be your best year yet!

As we finish one year and move on to the next, we often do a self check of how we did and what changes need to be made for the new year. 

Whether it is resolving to change our clothing size or improve our financial well being or even our spiritual diets. Committing to those changes can at times be quite difficult.  How is it some are better at than others. Did they find that "magic door" where time stands still? We know that is not likely. We are all given the same 24 hours a day. 

On February 1st of this year, my wife and I will be celebrating Spectrum Pest Control's 22nd year! WOW! Twenty two years in business. You know just how few are able to do this? Even fewer remaining committed to their core client base and not simply chasing the "mighty dollar". We made a commitment back then that we did not want to have employees. Why? Everyone else does that. All with mixed results. All using their clients as training ground for their technician. Don't get me wrong, it's not that that is a bad business model. After all, it is the American Dream. 

My role is to help ensure those who have had bad experiences with a "new tech" that we will not do that to them. 

I digress, as I review with my wife what went well with our business and what went not so well. We put together a plan of attack on how to fix the "holes" while nurturing what worked. 

Several years ago, we committed to no longer taking calls, emails, text etc while driving or servicing a client. Safety was our main reason. Respecting the time of those we are with also came into play. Nothing is more irritating than taking some time off of work to "let the tech in" only to hear him talking on his phone in the other room. Thus delaying your return to work.....  All this does come with a price for efficiency and quick response of our clients needs. Which as a business owner also means a loss in revenue. The temptation is to make the occasional exception and take that call while driving, look down at the text or email.... after all, you see your competition do it all the time. 

As hard as I try to return calls, voicemails, text and emails as fast as I can, I know sometimes there is a delay or worse yet. The ball gets dropped and requires a reminder call from our client.  We eliminated all forms of advertising in an effort to slow down the rate of calls when already busy. Yet the calls still increase. A nice problem to have.... 

So, what's the solution? One is to have a more efficient way to have you, our valued clients be able to schedule service visits. 

We are now in beta testing of a new system when instead of simply requesting service from this website, you will be able to actually schedule an appointment.  Once online, your prefered date and time will populate my calendar with a service request. If it is good? You will get a confirmation email. If not available? You will get a calendar invite for one of your alternate times and dates.

What will this mean? I means I will literally be able to add three more service calls per day. Thats right, three more. 

Please stay tuned for more details on this and other changes we will be doing to make your experience with us a more relaxing and stress free one.  these changes will also give you more confidence in referring friends and family to us without the worry somehow you won't be seen because I am too busy.